San Francisco, Calif., Feb 25, 2009 / 11:33 pm (CNA).- The San Francisco-based group Catholics for the Common Good has announced a novena of prayer and fasting for the seven California Supreme Court justices who are considering three lawsuits filed to overturn Proposition 8.

Catholics for the Common Good describes itself as “a new Catholic Action based on the social teachings of the Catholic Church.” It is different from the Washington, DC-based group Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good.

The novena began on Ash Wednesday and will last through Thursday, March 5, when the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the lawsuits challenging Proposition 8.

Catholics for the Common Good warned that opponents of Proposition 8 have gathered support from a coalition of cities, counties, state legislators and myriad special interests.

“The case should be decided solely on the legal facts and arguments, rather than political pressure,” the group said in a statement.

The legal team defending the constitutionality of Proposition 8 includes Kenneth Starr, former U.S. Solicitor General and Federal Appeals Court Judge. Catholics for the Common Good called Starr “one of the top constitution lawyers in the country” and said he is part of an “outstanding legal team representing marriage supporters.”

“The only thing left for us to do is to pray,” the group said. “With marriage and the sovereign right of the voters to amend their constitution hanging in the balance, we must mount a massive prayer effort – equivalent to that which took place during the fall campaign.”

“Please commit yourself to prayer and fasting. We ask that you unite your prayers with those of the entire Mystical Body of Christ, through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe and St. Joseph, patron of family,” Catholics for the Common Good said, requesting that participants ask their friends and family to join the prayer effort.

The novena prayers are available at http://ccgaction.org/downloads/pmnovena09-03-05.pdf